Peer support: an essential part of recovery for youth with mental illness

The sun streams through the large Victorian windows at Laing House on a beautiful summer afternoon.

With warm colours and art on the walls, and comfy sofas, this could be anyone’s living room. Youth are hanging out. One quietly strums a guitar while another works on an art project and others are chatting. This welcoming space is where youth living with mental illness can gather and be themselves. Talking to others who have a ‘been there, too’ experience can be a big

part of recovery.

Laing House fills an essential gap in helping youth find wellness. While most are able to access the medical resources they need, there are not many options for social support.

The first signs of many mental illnesses generally appear in adolescence and early adulthood, when so many changes already happen. Getting diagnosed at the same time can be devastating.

New symptoms and behaviours that may emerge, like mania, depression, anxiety, self-harm or psychosis, are hard for others to understand. Stigma can take many forms.

Friends may become uneasy, worrying about saying or doing the wrong thing. Some may reject you altogether, feeling that you’ve changed. Or sometimes it’s simply your own fear about what others think that separates you.

Not all families are supportive, either. Embarrassment and a feeling of blame like “It’s my fault my kid is sick” is another form of stigma that can prevent families from seeking help.

Laing House offers an environment free from any of that shame and rejection. Whether it’s over a campfire, a family-style dinner or just chilling in the backyard, members find friends that know what they’re going through and help them feel normal again.

Dr. Sabina Abidi, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the IWK, agrees with the importance of peer support.

“For many who are ill, the value of peer support together with medical and psychosocial intervention cannot be underestimated. People with lived experience have a unique approach and perspective that helps to boost confidence, reduce stigma and build resilience in those on the path to recovery.”

Friends and a sense of belonging are important for anyone. However, confidence and resilience are vital tools that youth with mental illness need to help them return to a healthy life.

The crucial role that Laing House plays can be summed up in the words of one member: “The medical system was there, but I didn’t really start recovering until I came to Laing House and found peer support.”

Laing House is a drop-in centre for youth ages 16 to 29 living with psychosis, mood and/or anxiety disorder. Based on peer support, members can meet friends who have gone through similar experiences and support each other as they find wellness. Programming includes art, meals, education and employment support, camping, music and more. With satellite groups in Yarmouth and Sackville, Laing House is creating youth-based peer support across Nova Scotia. We also offer a support group for families. For more information, visit www.lainghouse.org.